Portsmouth is considering a plan to transform a city-owned property that houses a soon-to-be-vacant school into affordable housing as part of an effort to keep people from being priced out of the city.The five-acre property that houses the former Sherburne School has been flagged as a possible site for affordable housing. Portsmouth Mayor Deaglan McEachern said such projects are needed to maintain the character of the city."I think that everyone in Portsmouth knows that we need to keep the character of our community, and our character is always the people," he said.McEachern said city workers, people working in service industries, teachers and others are finding they can't afford to live there."For all the people that make Portsmouth happen, it's about finding a home for them," he said.The city and the Portsmouth Housing Authority put together a land use committee and looked at all the property the city owns. The Sherburne School property looked promising because of its five acres of space that isn't close to any wetlands."Obviously, we have to figure out how it won't impact existing neighbors, and that's what we are doing," McEachern said.The proposal calls for up to 160 units to be built in the former softball field of the school. People making up to 80% of the area's median income, which is about $74,000 or less per year, would be eligible for the housing."All of the housing that has been built here in Portsmouth has been built for more affluent people," said Craig Welch of the Portsmouth Housing Authority. "There is demand for that as well, but unfortunately, there are so many people getting pushed out because of the cost, and that's been happening for a long time."The city and the housing authority want to hear from the community about the plan. A public comment session is scheduled to be held at the school at 6 p.m. on Tuesday.